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Away In Seattle...

August 26, 2011

This week of cookbook styling and shooting is over. Grueling. Exhausting. Exhilarating. Soothing. A nice change of pace for me to prop and play with food. I loved every minute of it and enjoyed being in the moment but I admit, I can't wait to get back behind the camera.

Working with Clare was just about the awesomest time I have had this summer. It was almost like sharing a brain. Of the good kind. The one without a misplaced ego. Clare called, asked me to style and I did just that. But the way we think and how we similarly sensitive and sensible to photography we are, made it a breathe to navigate the plate and the photograph.

Never the words "working together" have had as much meaning as they have this past week. Without spoken words or the feeling of stepping over, we worked together. Clare, Jeanne and I. About thirty five of the seventy five recipes that Jeanne included in her book had to be photographed. That's thirty five recipes to be made every night for their beauty shot the next day.

Every night, Jeanne and I would do a perfectly orchestrated ballet of pans and whisks to bake the recipe for the next day of shooting where Clare would work her magic with the camera. Both Jeanne and I know our way around a pastry or a cake but baking for a shoot is slightly different and thankfully there was plenty of wine and good food to help us push through each night after a long day of shooting.

We all hit a wall at some point but we worked through them together and pushed through. Always feeling like the other helped a little. I never felt anything but support and kindness. We made a team. "We're number two! We're number two!" Because it's not about us. It's not about being number one. It's about coming together to give Jeanne's book the best photographs. I can't wait for you to see the book next year when it comes out!

I stayed with Jeanne, I stayed with Clare. I met them both in their element. I felt home. I was able to get to know them in their crafts and their thought process. I am sad to leave two wonderful talented ladies. I am sad to leave friends. I am happy to get home and share this week with my husband. Hurricane Irene, please be nice...it's been a long week....!

hard work and long hours and grueling schedules end up being worth it and end up being rewarding when the end result is seamless and beautiful. i went through that this week. i'm exhausted but happy. can't wait to see you! xoxo

A beautiful tribute to your friendship and an artful window in the world of food photography and styling... such a life: the making and baking and wining and dining - the harvesting of the culinary art through an artistic eye and the lens... and then the writing. Your writing. Such gifts you have, Helene!:)Valerie

Funny, it used to be I was a team of one. These days real partnerships and stepping outside myself is always best. Looks like a great time in Seattle. Congrats on another great job accomplished, *hugs*

After 2 weeks of anticipation, your book Plate to Pixel finally arrived yesterday. Still at the beginning chapters and your words are soothing, encouraging and inspiring and I can't wait to get started. And the breathtaking photos... To top it off, I'm reading this entry, what perfect timing. Thank you always for the inspiration.

wow, so fabulous to see a little bit of the process that goes into photographing a cookbook (especially when it's a gluten free one - whoop whoop!) Hoping you're home and staying safe. May Irene stear clear!

I just found your blog last week and I just wanted to say that your photos are beautiful and everything looks so wonderful (which I'm sure you already knew). I live in Charleston, as well! :) Well, a bit outside of Charleston, almost in the 'country', but technically still in Charleston.So glad to have found your blog :)

Hi Helene! Just wanted to let you know that I thoroughly enjoyed "Plate to Pixel". The information, tips and resources you shared are very valuable and proved to be an AHA moment for me. I'm slowly setting up my home studio with professional(but not too expensive) equipment and I really took notes based on your suggestions. Thank you again for sharing your knowledge -- you will be rewarded a hundredfold for your generosity!